Climate Change and Aquatic Invasive Species (Final Report)

Report Information

This report reviews available literature on climate-change effects on aquatic invasive species (AIS) and examines state-level AIS management activities. Data on management activities came from publicly available information, was analyzed with respect to climate-change effects, and was reviewed by managers. This report also analyzes state and regional AIS management plans to determine their capacity to incorporate information on changing conditions generally, and climate change specifically.

Invasive species are one of the leading causes of degraded ecological condition and ecosystem services, and climate change has the potential to interact with this stressor through multiple mechanisms. OW and OPPTS are concerned with aquatic invasive species (AIS) in multiple arenas, including ballast water and NPDES permits, TMDLs and impaired waters, economic consequences, and pesticide usage for control. AIS are also used as biological indicators to measure ecosystem condition.

This report assesses the state of the science of climate change effects on AIS and examines state level AIS management activities. Part of the assessment focuses on AIS management plans to determine their capacity to incorporate information on changing environmental conditions generally, and climate change specifically. The report concludes that further scientific research and data collection are needed in order to equip managers with the tools and information necessary to conduct effective AIS management in the context of climatic change.The report is intended for managers and scientists working with AIS to provide them with information on the potential effects of climate change on AIS, strategies for adapting their management to accomodate these environmental changes, and highlight further research needs and gaps.